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Catholic bishops say gays have gifts to offer church

(The secular media are crowing over this. Words expressed in this summary are the Tennessean’s, not mine. We Christians are called to love everyone, including homosexuals, but not to condone their behavior. Love the sinner but hate the sin. Yes, we must love homosexuals, but we are promoting behavior against God’s holiness if we condone same-sex partnerships. And once the church slips in one area of this issue, it will continue down the slippery hill.)

The story summary:

Roman Catholic bishops in Vatican City demonstrated unprecedented tolerance toward gays on Monday, acknowledging in a newly released document that same-sex partnerships have merit, the Tennessean reports.

The new openness toward gay unions, but not marriages, expands on a theme Pope Francis previously struck with his “Who Am I to Judge” comment about gays and lesbians.

“This is a stunning change in the way the Catholic Church speaks of gay people,” said the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit author. “The synod is clearly listening to the complex, real-life experiences of Catholics around the world and seeking to address them with mercy, as Jesus did.”

Gays have “gifts and qualities” to offer, a document from the conference says. It suggested that the church accept and value “their sexual orientation without compromising Catholic doctrine on the family and matrimony.”